NL Central

Filed:April 22nd, 2009

Cub reliever Luis Vicaino (Cubbie Nation/file)

Luis, we hardly knew ya.

The Cubs made moves Thursday, designating reliever Luis Vicaino for assignment and recalling Jeff Samardzija from AAA, in an effort to stabilize their bullpen.

At 9-6, the Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten off to their best start since 2002. After sweeping the first place Florida Marlins this week, things are looking pretty good in Pirate-ville right now.

In the MLB you need starting pitchers to go deep into the game so you don't have to use the bullpen that much. Also you need a good offensive attack. Well the Brewers have the offense, just not the starting pitching.

If you look at last year's pitching we had Ben Sheets and a late trade to acquire stud CC Sabathia. 

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs

Free Pick: Cincinnati Reds
April 21, 2009 8:05 PM: Baseball Odds
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Filed:April 16th, 2009

The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their win against the Chicago Cubs Thursday.

(Cubbie Nation/file)

Click here for the photo gallery of today's game.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired switch-hitting outfielder Delwyn Young from the Los Angeles Dodgers for either two unnamed minor league players or cash.

After returning from the disabled list, Young found himself buried on the Dodgers depth chart and has not recorded any playing time in 2009. The 5-foot-8 outfielder carries a .267 career average, but has been susceptible in the field.

There are no questions he can hit, though. With only 165 career at-bats, he just never found a place with the Dodgers.

The Cardinals former ace and 2005 Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter enjoyed an offseason that could almost be called “normal”.  Cardinal fans were hoping for a strong return from the pitcher this year, but most were playing the safe bet that his health would keep him from taking the ball every fifth day.

After a very solid month of Grapefruit League play, Carpenter started to sway our opinions. What if he could continue his spring pace in the regular season?  How good would the Cardinal rotation be?